Downtown

You heard about it here first as mere scuttlebutt back in Feb. ’11. And today’s the day you can get a taste. From an email:

“ShopHouse Southeast Asian Kitchen, the much-anticipated new restaurant by Steve Ells and his team at Chipotle, will open today, Thursday, September 15, from 11 am until 10 pm at 1516 Connecticut Ave just above Dupont Circle in the District. Serving noodle and rice bowls and báhn mi, (Vietnamese subs) filled with assertively spiced meats, vegetables and sauces, ShopHouse is offering its version of what you might find at hawker stalls in Singapore, Bangkok or Hanoi.”

We’ll be back for a proper judging after they’ve been open for a bit. But if anyone stops by and has an early taste/opinion – let us know what you think.

Back in Jan. ’11 folks were pretty excited to learn Wicked Waffle was coming to 1712 I St, NW. I’m wondering if anyone checked them out yet?

Their Web site says:

“Welcome to Wicked Waffle, home of the reborn, made-to-order waffle. This is no Eggo, ladies and gentlemen. This is a 600 year old European treat, perfected and brought to you fresh by the chefs at Wicked Waffle. They are savory, sweet, stuffed, topped, cold, hot, breakfast, lunch and just about everything in between. Say hello to your flaky, crispy, delicious new obsession. The good news is that they’re good for you. So no worries! Indulge freely. And do try out our homemade soups-to-sip and salads, too. Even they’ll have you shouting Waffleissimo!”

You can see their menu here.

Whenever we talk about Indian restaurants two names always pop up – Rasika and Bombay Club (I had no idea they were under the same ownership group.) We judged Rasika in Apr. ’10 but have never properly judged Bombay Club. Bombay Club is located at 815 Connecticut Ave, NW. You can see their menu here. Anyone prefer them over Rasika? Any must order items?

Looks like a lot more lunch options are coming to the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Ave, NW – Jimmy John’s and a new Chop’t across the street at 1730 Pennsylvania Ave, NW.

1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

“Dear PoP,

Hey, I realize this probably sounds a silly question, nevertheless, want to pose it to PoPVille. Given the near monopoly that Subway has over the DC sandwich scene and Potbelly’s ongoing expansion, has this deterred Jimmy John’s (my favorite fast food sandwich place) from opening stores in D.C. proper? What is ironic is that JJ’s has a very visible advertising presence on Metro buses and at Metro bus stops……but the closest JJ’s is in Alexandria. Where’s the love for Jimmy John’s?!”

Back in May ’11 we learned that DC would be getting it’s first Jimmy John’s at 14th and L St, NW. In email to get an update the folks at Jimmy John’s tell me the one at 14th and L St, NW “is scheduled to open in October”. But there is even more good news for JJ fans – they are also opening a shop at 1717 Pennsylvania Ave, NW. And this one is scheduled to open at the end of August/early September.

You can see Jimmy John’s full sandwich menu here.

After much anticipation Bobby’s Burger Palace opens today at 2121 K Street, NW. You can see their menu here and in PDF below:

BBP DC MENU

So any volunteers to do a burger taste off between Shake Shack and Bobby’s? If so just take some photos of your burgers and send me your thoughts at princeofpetworth(at)gmail

Update 12:10pm check out the line sent in by a reader:

Their farewell message:

“It is with great gratitude and pleasure to announce the retirement of Thai Kingdom Restaurant and Bar. This being our twenty fifth year in Washington DC, we thought there would be no better time to say our goodbyes then the present. We thank all our loyal patrons that have made it possible for us to have been here for so long. Thank You for sharing your special moments with us, and allowing us to have so many fond memories to take away. We invite all patrons to celebrate with us before we close our doors for good on August 5th 2011.”